China plans even faster high-speed trains

10/20/2010

China takes lead in high-speed train technologies, boasting speeds in excess of 500kmph…

China has started research and development of new ‘super-speed’ railway technology, the country’s state news agency Xinhua, reported an offi cial with China’s Ministry of Railways (MOR) as saying yesterday. The new technology will increase the average speed of trains to more than 500 kilometres per hour, MOR’s Chief Engineer, He Huawu, was reported saying at conference held in Wuhan. The country’s most recent high-speed railway technology, which will operate at speeds of 400-500kph is its fi nal phase of development, while 380kph trains are already coming off production lines, He added. In September, a the Chinese made Shanghai Maglev Train hit a top speed of 431kph on a test run to set a new record for a commercial train. High-speed trains in China are defined as those that can travel at speeds in excess of 200kph, running on a continuous welded rail which reduces track vibrations allowing trains to reach higher speeds. As of September, China had put into service 7,055km of high-speed railway lines - the longest network in the world – and is expected to extend this to 13,000km by 2012. “We aim to lead the world in high-speed railway construction,” said He.Brought to you by TravelDailyAsia.com